Duo shapes winner with new surfboard

SURFING professional Dimity Stoyle has teamed up with close friend Mitch Surman to design a board that has already taken the local scene by storm.

Mr Surman, of MS Surfboards, said the duoshared ideas about board design since he began shaping boards professionally, and the time came when he thought they could collaborate on a unique design.

"We sat in the shaping bay for a day or two and we kind of knew what we were looking for and just went from there," Mr Surman said.

"Dim's a good surfer and she knows what she wants, so we created something that everyone has liked so far."

The single-fin board design, named Local Motion, has become MS Surfboards' biggest seller, with everybody from recreational surfers to sponsored team surfers raving about the smoothness of the ride and placing orders once they give the demo board a test run.

No stranger to board shaping - having made a few of her own in the past - Ms Stoyle said Local Motion was based on her favourite short board, with modifications to add volume to make for better paddling stability.

"It really suits the waves we have on the Coast," she said.

"Being involved in the whole process has really helped me a lot; it teaches me to understand how my boards work, what makes the board go faster and gives you the best performance.

"There are less hand-shaped boards coming out now; there has been a huge move to production from Thailand and China, so it is great to get behind a business that is making them here on the Coast."

Although she is enjoying spending time at her Buderim home, Ms Stoyle is training hard for the year ahead.

The 23-year-old was recently announced as the wildcard entry in the women's 2015 World Surf League, which begins on the Gold Coast on February 28 with the Roxy Pro.

If you would like to check out the Local Motion design, visit the Glass Coffee House and Surf Gallery in Sixth Ave, Maroochydore.